The Germans are an economic powerhouse, but a little more military intensive than other economic nations. Unlike nations like the British, who must spend large amounts of Food on Citizens to fully utilize their economic strength, the German bonuses cost less to take advantage of. This allows Germans a much easier path to military might than many of the other economic nations. They also have more unique units than any other nation.

Germans do well at just about every style of strategy in the game, though perhaps not as well as nations that specialize in each style of play. While they receive few significant military bonuses, their ability to field large amounts of troops makes up for this weakness.


Granary, Lumber Mill, and Smelter upgrades are 50% cheaper and available sooner.

Why is it important?

These upgrades are important for any nation to keep their resource production maxed at the Commerce Limit. For Germans, these upgrades are 50% cheaper and available 1 Science tech earlier than normal. This means that Germans have a much easier time maxing their resource income.

How do I maximize this nation power?

• Use it: It's very simple to use this nation power - just remember to research these upgrades as soon as they become available except in circumstances where the given resource type is already maxed at the Commerce Limit. If that happens, one of two things is true: either you have too many resources invested into the producer building (Farms, Woodcutter's Camps, and Mines) or you haven't kept your Commerce research up. Remember that creating a strong economy is about efficiency. If you can get an extra +100 food income by researching a cheap Granary tech, that's many times better than spending lots of Food and Timber on Citizens who will create new Farms.

Cities gather an additional +10 Food, Timber, and Metal.

Why is it important?

You'll be creating a number of Cities, so it's helpful that each one provides a larger amount of innate income. This is also income that is impossible for your opponent to raid, short of capturing the City - no small feat.

How do I maximize this nation power?

• There's no real way to maximize this power. Simply make Cities as you normally do and you'll gain a steady flow of extra resources.

Building completion bonuses +50%

Why is it important?

You may notice when you're playing that completing many buildings like Farms, Woodcutter's Camps, and Universities provides a one-time resource bonus. For Germans, this bonus is increased 50%. This is particularly significant early in the game, when the player is creating a lot of new Farms and similar economic buildings.

How do I maximize this nation power?

• Construct more buildings than usual at each City: Generally you'll want to have certain types of buildings at each City (such as Markets and Universities) along with buildings you'll want a lot of but only at your rear economic-heavy Cities (such as Farms, Mines, and Woodcutter's Camps). With the knowledge that constructing each of these buildings brings larger one-time bonuses than normal, you can probably see why it's a good idea to ensure each of them gets constructed. This has a pseudo side effect of reducing the price of your buildings - sure your buildings cost the same as everyone else's, but you're getting more bonus out of them than they are.

Submarines and Fireships build 33% faster and 25% cheaper

Why is it important?

This is a relatively minor bonus, yet certainly helpful for sea battles as your Submarines and Fireships will be cheaper and created faster.

How do I maximize this nation power?

• On sea maps, use a Light Ship/Fire Ship combo: Since you'll have a lot of cheap counters to enemy heavy ships, you can spend less resources on Heavy Ships and concentrate on Light Ships instead, knowing that you can easily counter the Heavy Ships your opponent will use against you.

Air units created 33% faster.

Why is it important?

It allows players to create air units significantly quicker than other nations. This is another relatively minor bonus, only helping in specific situations. One thing it does do well is add an incentive for German players to use air units.

How do I maximize this nation power?

• Use air units: Another no-brainer here. While this bonus is small, it's always good to utilize any advantage you have over your opponent.

Receive 2 free Fighters with each Airbase.

Why is it important?

Combined with the ability to make air units faster, it makes a lot of sense to create Airbases with the Germans. Remember to use these free fighters - they can be especially brutal if you make an Airbase immediately after reaching Industrial Age and harass the enemy army with them. They are particularly effective against enemy siege and supply wagons, so if you're under attack by those types of units you can quickly deal with them.

How do I maximize this nation power?

• Construct Airbases: Immediately constructing an Airbase or two in Industrial Age will result in a nice early air force capable of harassing enemy military units or easily taking out enemy supply wagons or siege. This is another one of those bonuses where the only way to really maximize it is by using it, "use it and it will be useful".

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